Chapter 121: Run Away If You Dare

Dominic's bluntness mortified Nella. She forced a smile, but her response was a jumble of nonsense. "I just saw your message. That's why I called—I wasn't intentionally avoiding you." Dominic chuckled softly. "If you don't want your precious Jove tainted with hatred, make me fall in love with you. Only love can counter hatred, understand?"

He continued, "I was busy with the Yates family and didn't have time for you. Now, don't even think about running away. Try it, and you'll see what happens."

Bella couldn't cope with the pressure. She mumbled about being busy and quickly hung up. She might have been brave enough three years ago, but now she'd resigned herself to fate. The opportunity had come too late; the reckless, naive fondness she once felt was gone.

Despite her best efforts, her mind kept returning to the night he'd sent her that recording—deliberately, she now believed. After she moved in with Lia following Amber's arrival, he'd paid Liamoney to look after her. Now, he wanted her to join him on a business trip. Had he been serious all along?

What terrified Bella most was the possibility of Dominic's revenge. She dreaded falling into the same trap, reliving the same inescapable hell.

After work, she drove to Lia's studio, where Lia and Oscar were happily engrossed in each other. The air thrummed with love. The sight intensified Bella's unease. Lia's and Oscar's relationship had progressed rapidly; they were sharing a bubble tea. Bella felt like a third wheel. Lia, clinging to her arm, showed them off shamelessly. "Oscar has tomorrow and the day after off. Want to join us on a trip? We haven't traveled together in ages. You should come!"

Bella was about to refuse, but then she considered her own messy life. Maybe a getaway was exactly what she needed. "Where are you planning to go?"

Lia smiled at Oscar. "I'll let him plan it. We'll just follow his lead."

Oscar smiled shyly. "Sure. I'll take care of everything."

Watching Oscar, Bella couldn't help but think of Dominic. He was the complete opposite—sharp and dark, not gentle and warm. She remembered being eighteen, and Dominic finding her diary filled with entries and sketches about him. She deeply regretted leaving such evidence of her feelings, a vulnerability he could exploit.

With only two days for the trip, they booked a flight that night to Gester City, a popular seaside resort about 500 miles from Joville. It was the perfect time to visit. Once at their hotel, Lia insisted on taking photos of the three of them, posting them on social media.

Lia and Bella shared a room; Oscar had his own. That night, despite the two-hour flight, Lia was too excited to sleep, already obsessing over her beach bikini. Bella lazily picked one out for her. "This one looks cute. Just remember sunscreen, or you'll get sunburnt."

Lia's face glowed with happiness. "Hey, be honest. Other than being a little flat-chested, I'm not bad, right? Oscar won't mind, will he?"

Bella chuckled. "Oscar's simple and romantic. He probably wouldn't care. Stop worrying and go to sleep."

Just as the words left her mouth, Bella's phone buzzed. Seeing Dominic's name, her mind went blank. She hurried to the bathroom before answering.

"Hello?"

Chapter 122: The Third Wheel

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